Some time ago I posted the recipe for the dried figs jam and frankly I was surprised by the impact it had. I was thinking that readers might have been a bit skeptical to such recipe, but I was wrong. Many of my readers made it and they send me the best reviews. To get such messages from your readers is very motivating! So, please send me your thoughts, do not hesitate! 😉
Therefore, I decided to create another similar recipe to give you the impetus to experiment a bit longer. Dried apricot jam, without added sugar but with grape syrup and flavored with amaretto liqueur. Another easy, fast and healthy, raw jam for you breakfast. Eat it without remorse! It is ideal for those who avoid refined sugar. The sweet taste derives from the natural sugars of apricots, grape syrup (I use organic, unheated one) and orange juice, in which apricots are soaked.
This jam, like all other recipes in the “handmade edible gifts” category, is a very good gift idea for the holidays approaching. Prepare the jam, put it in one of the very practical jars you can find at an IKEA store and offer it to your loved ones. I do not know if you agree, but for me, handmade gifts, have much greater value! At IKEA you can, also, buy these wonderful gift labels that you see in the photos. You will find them in a package with a variety of shapes and sizes. In one package, as well, you will find these very beautiful strings, to attach the labels to your handmade gifts.
Dried apricots are one of the most nutritious dried fruit. They are a good source of dietary fibers, iron and potassium which helps regulate blood pressure and heart health. Dried apricots have a higher content of beta-carotene than raw, and low caloric value (17 calories /each).
Apricots are rich in vitamin A which helps in the proper functioning of the eyes and good skin health. They, also, contain carotenoids (beta carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin), which have antioxidant activity and to which the orange color is due. Ripe and dried apricots have higher carotenoid content. Lycopene is connected with protection against prostate cancer.
Moreover, apricots are a good source of vitamin C and flavonoids. Therefore they have strong antioxidant properties, protect the cardiovascular system, and prevent the oxidation of LDL- «bad” cholesterol. In the nutritional advantages of apricots we should also include niacin.
The quantities of amaretto liqueur and grape syrup I give you are indicative. It is best to taste the jam while you puree it, in order to achieve the desirable sweetness and aroma, slightly increasing or reducing the amounts of these two ingredients.
Total time: 30 min soaking and 10 min to prepare the jam
Servings: 26 tbsp approx. (550gr./ 1.2 lb.)
Ingredients:
- 300 g. (10.5 oz.) dried apricots, cut into small pieces
- 300 ml freshly squeezed orange juice (about 3 oranges)
- zest from oranges
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3- 3 ½ tablespoons organic grape syrup, preferably unheated
- 2-3 tablespoons amaretto liqueur*
- 70 g. (2.5 oz.) silvered almonds, toasted (optional)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, add the chopped apricots and orange and lemon juice and soak for about 30 minutes to soften. Drain but do not discard the juice.
- In bowl of food processor, add the apricots, zest and juice. Process the jam while adding grape syrup and amaretto gradually to get the flavor you desire.
- When your jam is ready, you can, if you wish, add to it silvered almond. They give a special effect. You can try it out on a small amount of jam.
- Transfer the jam in an airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator. I have found very practical jam funnel as you can see in the photo. With it you do your job clean and fast.
Notes:
*If you don’t want to add alcohol in the jam, replace it with the same amount of orange juice.
PS. Today’s recipe posted for my candidacy in the “Food Blog Awards 2015”, particularly in the “Best Design & Site Architecture” category. If you would like to vote for me, login to your facebook account and click here. You should click the “like” button below the text. Thank you! 🙂
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